SLIDESHOW: The 3rd Battalion The Rifles march through Wakefield.

Gemma Jimmison

The 3rd Battalion The Rifles (Rifles) exercised their right to march through the city of Wakefield earlier this month.

Back in 2010 the regiment was granted of the Freedom of the City.

British army regiment, The Rifles, who were given the freedom of the city (Wakefield) during 2010, hold a parade in from of the cathedral.'w305t428

And thousands of people turned out to show their support to the riflemen as many have family links in Wakefield and the rest of the county.

Bugles were sounded and bands played as the soldiers, with rifles at the trail, marched from Brook Street to Cathedral precinct.

They were joined by Territorial Army soldiers from D (Rifles) company, 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers based in Scarborough Barracks in Balby, Doncaster, Army cadets from the Yorkshire (North and West) Army Cadet Force and veterans from The Rifles Regimental Association.

It was a proud day for Rifleman Ryan Gavin, 20, from Wakefield.

He said: “It was good today. If the public are all clapping then you feel proud. They were enthusiastic today and clapping us and, after coming back from being on exercise in Kenya, it was quite surreal.”

The Rifles march at 140 paces per minute, much faster than that of the rest of the Infantry who march at 120.

When they arrived at the precinct the soldiers were inspected by Majesty’s Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Major Stan Hardy, the Mayor of Wakefield, coun Sandra Pickin, the Leader of Wakefield Council, coun Peter Box and the Colonel (North) of The Rifles, Brigadier Richard Smith.